Mid-Career FORWARD

Program Overview

Promotion is an important milestone—not an endpoint. The years following promotion to lecturer or associate professor are often among the most influential in a faculty member's career. Having reached mid-career status, individuals should chart a path for their continued career enhancement and consider questions such as:

• How do I continue to advance my career and define new career goals?
• How can I renew my commitment to teaching and research/creative activity?

In addition to thinking through the next steps for their individual career success, mid-career faculty are also expected to intentionally contribute to a robust and cohesive faculty culture and to engage in leadership in both informal and formal ways. Central to these expectations are addressing questions such as:

• How can I enhance the culture of my department, college, the campus, and my discipline?
• As a mid-career faculty member, what is expected of me and how does it differ from expectations for junior faculty?
• As an emerging senior faculty member, how can I support my colleagues and unit leadership?

FORWARD is designed to support mid-career faculty members as they move beyond promotion to intentionally shaping the next stage of their professional lives. FORWARD emphasizes mentoring, expanding interdisciplinary connections, and contributing to the campus community through key program elements including:

• Building knowledge and skills
• Leading a unit-level project
• Participating in self-reflection
• Meeting with other participants for informal conversations
• Engaging in group mentoring
• Seeking and implementing feedback

Participants commit to a one-year program with in-person meetings on the following dates (all Fridays from 12-2PM):

• Jan 22, 2027 – Elevate teaching beyond your classroom
• Feb 26, 2027 – Advance your research/creative activity by mentoring/supporting others
• Mar 26, 2027 – Enhance community engagement and networks
• Apr 23, 2027– Promote institutional stewardship; contribute to faculty esprit de corps
• Sep 24, 2027 – Share initial project plans and solicit feedback
• Nov 5, 2027 – Update cohort on project progress and solicit feedback
• Jan 28, 2028 – Present project summary to senior leaders and cohort 2

Call for Applications

Eligible tenured and instructional faculty include those recently promoted to associate professors or lecturers; approximately one to three years post-promotion approval; must have approval of their chair/director and dean. Those selected will:

• Clarify their role as an emerging senior faculty member.
• Develop skills aligned to the increased expectations of mid-career faculty.
• Practice using those skills in leading a unit-level initiative in a supportive environment.
• Increase engagement with faculty colleagues and enhance campus networks.

Application

• Complete the application form including a brief letter of interest describing how the program will help achieve goals and stated commitment to attend FORWARD programming and events as noted above by Mon, 11/2
• Consultation with department chair/school director who are highly encouraged to consult with the dean

Questions?

Contact Candice Batton (cbatton@unomaha.edu) or Connie Schaffer (cschaffer@unomaha.edu).